In Marlborough, heated ward races hit Facebook

While the back and forth among City Council candidates has been lively and occasionally tense at various campaign forums and debates, the talk has gotten even messier online.

Kendall Hatch/Daily News staff

While the back and forth among City Council candidates has been lively and occasionally tense at various campaign forums and debates, the talk has gotten even messier online.

In the races for the ward 2, 3 and 7 council seats, voters on Tuesday will choose between incumbents Paul Ferro, Matthew Elder and Donald Landers and their respective opponents, Richard Jenkins, George Stein and Todd Beauchemin.

Some of those candidates have spoke bluntly about each other in social media circles, with Ward 2 Councilor Paul Ferro calling Ward 3 candidate George Stein a "jackass" in a Facebook post following a candidate forum on Oct. 20.

Ferro yesterday said he was referring to Stein's contention at the debate that Ferro and Elder were asking their opponents to comment on "minutiae."

Ferro had asked his opponent, Jenkins, to comment on a 140-page Department of Revenue report with recommendations for Marlborough and Elder asked Stein for his plan to address the city's unfunded liabilities. Jenkins said he was not familiar with the report, and Stein said he did not have an immediate plan.

Ferro yesterday said he stood by his words, which were posted on his personal Facebook account, not the account he is using for campaign purposes.

"Frankly, I though he came across as a bit of a jerk," Ferro said of Stein's criticism of the questions. "If someone acts like a jackass and talks like a jackass, I think (the post was) appropriate."

Ferro said candidates for City Council should be just as versed in issues as councilors.

Ferro tagged Elder in the post, meaning it showed up on Elder's Facebook account as well. Elder said yesterday that the words were Ferro's and not his and said he has never launched a personal attack against Stein. He said he aims not to censor people and noted that a post supportive of Stein's character remained on his Facebook account as well.

Stein said yesterday the post didn't bother him and stood by his assertion that the questions from Elder and Ferro didn't bring value to the discussion.

"Councilor Ferro is entitled to his opinion," he said.

That same night, outgoing City Councilor and state Rep. Steven Levy posted a candid statement to the campaign Facebook account of Beauchemin, who is running against Landers in Ward 7.

"Watched my friend Todd's debate tonight," he wrote. "He politely and respectfully proceeded to take his opponent to the woodshed and beat the crap out of him. Great job Todd!"

Beauchemin had earlier in the night posted a message acknowledging the quality of the questions from both the panelists at the debate as well as Landers.

Levy said he only aimed to congratulate Beauchemin on what he considered a job well done in the forum.

In Ward 2, Ferro, who is seeking his fifth term, has presented himself as a fiscal watchdog and said that as a ward councilor, he is not afraid to get down to the "nitty gritty" to solve problems for constituents. He said he prides himself on the current financial health of the city and wants to work to attract new business and expand the tax base.

Jenkins, a national waste facilities manager for TJX, said his main priority is the delivery of emergency services without interruption. He said that in budget planning, he would be more receptive to the needs of department heads and said he would aim to soothe the sometimes contentious relationship between the City Council and mayor's office.

In Ward 3, Elder, owner of a local i9 Sports, said his main priority would be continuing to keep spending in check. Seeking his second term, Elder said that in the ward, his main objectives are to see through an overhaul at Ward Park and ensure completion of needed roadwork.

His opponent, Stein, said he wants to encourage more long-term planning on the City Council level and wants the group to be more proactive instead of responding to problems as they come up. He said one of his major ward priorities would be to protect the interests of Glen Street residents from development that would lower their quality of life.

In Ward 7, Landers, going for his third term, touted his experience as a volunteer in the city, saying he learns more about constituent concerns handing out pasta at community suppers than he does in City Hall. He said Marlborough needs to advertise itself as a desirable destination to spur economic development.

His opponent, Beauchemin, said protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring the city's financial health top his list of priorities. He said he will work to make sure city streets are up to snuff and wants to streamline the permitting process to bring more business to Marlborough.

(Kendall Hatch can be reached at 508-490-7453 or khatch@wickedlocal.com.)

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